Zamboanga City, Philippines—In a significant anti-drug operation on Saturday, law enforcement officials in Zamboanga City arrested three individuals and confiscated approximately PHP20.4 million worth of methamphetamine, commonly known as shabu. The operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects, identified as males aged 34 from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and two others from Pata, Sulu, aged 22 and 36, were apprehended by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9 (RDEU-9) at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Taliyasan. Colonel Romeo Espero Jr., Deputy Director for Operations of the Police Regional Office-9, detailed that the drugs were packaged in three separate kilos in a plastic bag.
This arrest follows closely on another recent operation by RDEU-9 on September 18 in Barangay Boalan, which resulted in the capture of three individuals, including a police officer and a member of the Philippine Coast Guard, and the seizure of PHP13.6 million worth of shabu. Both operations were supported by the Zamboanga City Police Station 9 and the Naval Intelligence Security Group-Western Mindanao, indicating a coordinated approach to tackling drug-related offenses in the area.
Authorities are currently preparing drug charges against the suspects, underscoring the legal consequences of drug trafficking and possession in the Philippines.